Too late for potatoes?

[WeeGarden]

I've just discovered seed potatoes I bought in August on top of a shelf - had totally forgotten about them. Would t be too late to plant them now? I have an unheated greenhouse.

[Snoop Puss]

I imagine it's too late, especially if your area is prone to frosts. But that said, and in the spirit of Veggiechicken, why not plant them seeing as you've already got them and you'll probably just chuck them out otherwise? Or would they be taking up space that you could use more profitably?

[Jungle Jane]

Yes plant them now,in a greenhouse the growth should be protected from frost,they'll do well with a bit of fertiliser,potatoes grow in temperatures 6 degrees+ I think. A few garden centres are selling first earlies now,for growing new potatoes for Christmas.

[Penellype]

I would give it a go (if you have the space). I've shoved seed potatoes in a bucket in the greenhouse in October and had a few small potatoes from them - I wait until the foliage dies down then empty the bucket and see what's in it.

The last few winters have been mild - I don't know if this would work if we got a cold one.

[veggiechicken]

in the spirit of Veggiechicken, why not plant them seeing as you've already got them and you'll probably just chuck them out otherwise?

You know me so well
I was about to say - Bung 'em in pots in the GH. Nothing ventured and all that!
Just to keep you company, I'll bung some of my sprouting spuds in a bucket and see what happens. With luck , we'll be eating new potatoes in New Year.

[burnie]

My Dad used to put a handful in the ground in his cold frame as he lifted his main crops, we used to have new spuds on Xmas day, though a tad smaller than the usual ones.

[WeeGarden]

Thanks all!

I think it's because I'm tight and the seed potatoes cost me £3 but the bags of compost I will need will exceed £10 ☺️

I will do it, and report back 😬

[veggiechicken]

I'll be using 2nd hand compost - from the cucumbers which have finished!

[rary]

Thanks all!

I think it's because I'm tight and the seed potatoes cost me £3 but the bags of compost I will need will exceed £10 ☺️

I will do it, and report back ��

Why don't you try mixing garden soil with your compost which would drop the cost a bit

[Snoop Puss]

Yes, ten quid buys a lot of potatoes. Though none of the satisfaction of having your own new pots!

[nickdub]

As someone-else commented it's certainly possible to grow new potatoes for Xmas in a cold greenhouse - not an economic proposition though, unless you can get some old grow-bags or similar and re-use the compost from them. If you can get used grow-bags, turn them on their ends by folding in half then cut in two - stood upright gives more depth for planting.

[WeeGarden]

Did you get anything, Veggiechicken?

I got a handful (my hands are very small ) of perfect looking potatoes. I admit that I wasn't diligent in either the watering or the compost adding. But perfectly fine to use as seed potatoes so I put them back in the soil to keep for this year. Alas, I took them out in Feb and the severe temperatures at the end of the month got to the smaller ones.